Operational Excellence Program Manager

Position Summary

The Manager, Operational Excellence is responsible for driving Lean and Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives across a multi-site manufacturing network. This role serves as a peer leader to factory leadership teams, fostering a culture of operational discipline, capability building, and sustained performance improvement. The position focuses on embedding Lean principles, standardizing business processes, and developing a highly skilled, continuously improving workforce.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with site leadership teams to identify, prioritize, and execute Lean and CI initiatives across multiple manufacturing facilities
• Act as a peer leader and coach to plant leadership, guiding the application of Lean principles and problem-solving methodologies
• Lead value stream mapping, Kaizen events, and root cause analysis to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance
• Drive accountability for sustaining improvements and maintaining standard work
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and operational excellence across all sites
• Influence and engage leaders at all levels to adopt and model Lean behaviors and mindsets
• Establish and track key performance indicators to measure CI maturity and impact
• Own and manage factory-wide training programs for a skills-based workforce
• Design and deliver onboarding and training programs for new factory floor employees
• Develop and implement leadership development programs for front-line supervisors and production leaders
• Ensure training systems support certification, skill progression, and workforce flexibility
• Lead the development and implementation of standardized work and best practices across sites
• Drive standardization of core business and operational processes to improve consistency and efficiency
• Support the introduction and scaling of new processes, ensuring alignment with Lean principles

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field required
• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, or operational excellence
• Proven experience leading Lean transformation and continuous improvement initiatives in a multi-site environment
• Demonstrated success in influencing senior leaders and driving cross-functional change

Skills & Competencies

• Deep knowledge of lean manufacturing, CI methodologies, and problem-solving tools (e.g., Kaizen, 5S, standard work, root cause analysis)
• Strong leadership and coaching skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority
• Experience designing and delivering training and workforce development programs
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities

Key Attributes

• Passion for developing people and building high-performing teams
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
• High level of resilience, adaptability, and accountability
• Commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement

This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected of a person assigned to this position. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. Employees may be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor.

It is the policy of FORTNA and its affiliated companies to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, citizenship status (if authorized to work in the U.S.), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, FORTNA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.